Systems and methods to provide search results based on time to obtain

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for providing search results based on time obtain an item are discussed. In an example, a method can include receiving a search query, generating search results, calculating a time to obtain for each listing in the search results, and arranging the search results for display. The search query can include a current location of a mobile device. The search results can include a plurality of listings, with each listing including a location. The locations representing either a physical location proximate the current location or a delivery time to the current location. The search results can be arranged for display in various manners according to the calculated time to obtain for each result.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No.13/725,669, filed Dec. 21, 2012, and titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS TOPROVIDE SEARCH RESULTS BASED ON TIME TO OBTAIN”, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/649,061, filed May 18,2012, and titled “SEARCH RESULTS, SORTED BY DISTANCE AND/OR TIME.” Thisapplication also claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/649,091, filed May 18, 2012, and titled “CORRIDOR-BASED SEARCHRESULTS.” This application further claims benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/601,822, filed Feb. 22, 2012, and titled “MOBILELOCAL MARKETPLACE.” This application yet further claims benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/614,930, filed Mar. 23, 2012, and titled“SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NAVIGATION ENABLED SHOPPING.” Each of the U.S.provisional applications referenced above is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The Internet and the World Wide Web have given rise to a wide variety ofon-line retailers that operate virtual stores from which consumers canpurchase products (i.e., merchandise, or goods) as well as services.Although the popularity of these on-line retail sites is clearlyevidenced by their increasing sales, for a variety of reasons, someconsumers may still prefer to purchase products and services in a moreconventional manner—i.e., via a brick-and-mortar store. Even whenpurchasing products and services from a brick-and-mortar store, variousweb-based applications and tools may be used to perform preliminaryresearch about products and services. Increasingly, brick-and-mortarstores are providing online and mobile-focused purchasing options toaugment traditional in-store sales and to compete with purely onlineretailers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation inthe figures of the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram depicting a system for delivering searchresults, where the search results are arranged in ascending order of thedistance and/or travel time between a user's location and the locationof a product or service presented with a search result listing,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram depicting a system for providing anetwork-based navigated shopping service, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an environment for operating amobile device, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile device, according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a network-based system fordelivering search results arranged by distance and/or time and/ornavigated shopping services, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating shopping modules, according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for processing a searchquery, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example user interface showing search resultspresented consistent with some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example user interface of an application for amobile device including an interactive map on which search results canbe shown, according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a user interface showing a map, and having a multiaxis table presenting the search results arranged by a combination oftheir price and distance and/or travel time, according to an exampleembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 10A-C illustrate example user interfaces presenting an interactivemap on a tablet or mobile computing device for use in defining acorridor or route with which to identify or filter relevant searchresults, according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example user interface displaying search resultswithin a corridor on an interactive map, according to some embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for navigated shopping,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing navigatedshopping services, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 14A is an illustration of a mobile device display, according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 14B is an illustration of a shopping list for use with a navigatedshopping system, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an illustration of a mobile device display depicting ashopping route provided by a navigated shopping service, according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providinglocation-based services, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a user interface diagram depicting location-based servicesoperating on a client device, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram depicting a location-based service operating on aclient device, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the exampleform of a computer system within which a set of instructions for causingthe machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussedherein may be executed.

DEFINITIONS

Location—For the purposes of this specification and the associatedclaims, the term “location” is used to refer to a geographic location,such as a longitude/latitude combination or a street address. The term“location” is also used within this specification in reference to aphysical location associated with a retail outlet (e.g., store).

Real-time—For the purposes of this specification and the associatedclaims, the term “real-time” is used to refer to calculations oroperations performed on-the-fly as events occur or input is received bythe operable system. However, the use of the term “real-time” is notintended to preclude operations that cause some latency between inputand response, so long as the latency is an unintended consequenceinduced by the performance characteristics of the machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example systems and methods for providing and using variouslocation-enabled shopping functions are described. In an example, thesystems and methods can provide data processing techniques forprocessing a search query to identify a set of search results relatingto products and/or services that are being offered either online or viaa brick-and-mortar retail store, and then present those search resultsin such a manner that conveys to the viewer in a simple and intuitivemanner the distance and/or travel time between a location of the user,and a product or service presented within each individual search resultassociated with a brick-and-mortar store. In another example, thesystems and methods can provide data processing techniques forestablishing a search query, and then processing the search query toidentify a set of search results that satisfy the search query, at leastin part, because the search results are associated with brick-and-mortarstores that are in close proximity with a user-defined corridor, orcommute route. In yet another example, the systems and methods canprovide a navigated shopping service allowing a user to use alocation-aware mobile device to shop en route to a desired destination.In an example, the navigated shopping service can work in coordinationwith registered merchants to provide convenient access to items on auser's shopping list with minimal disruption or deviation from a plannedroute.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the various aspects of different embodiments of thepresent invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in theart, that the present inventive subject matter may be practiced withoutall of the specific details.

Consistent with some embodiments of the invention, a web-based searchengine processes search queries and returns, to a requesting clientcomputing device, search results that are arranged based at least inpart on the travel time required to travel from a first location (e.g.,the user's current location) to the location of a store at which aproduct or service associated with a search result is being offered.Accordingly, the search results may be presented such that the closeststore (in terms of travel time) that is offering a product satisfyingthe search query is presented first in the list of search results. Withsome embodiments, the user can toggle the presentation of search resultsbetween distance and time, such that the search results can be orderedbased on distance (e.g., the geodesic distance, or distance as the crowflies) or, the more practical and useful measure, based on the traveltime required to travel between the location of the user and thelocation of the store offering the product or service presented in asearch result. With some embodiments, the user can specify a mode oftransportation (e.g., walking, biking, automobile, publictransportation, etc.) and the travel time will be derived based on theroutes available when travelling via the selected mode. With someembodiments, various filtering criteria may be applied. For example, theuser may request that only search results satisfying the query andassociated with a store that is within a predefined travel time, ordistance, be presented. Similarly, a user may select one or morespecific stores (e.g., Apple® Store, Best Buy®, Walmart®, and so forth)to see only search results showing products/services being offered bythose stores.

With some embodiments, parameters for the search query may beestablished by a user interacting with a map. In particular, with someembodiments, a user may interact with a map to specify any one or moreof: the starting location to be used for deriving the distance or traveltime to the products or services associated with the individual searchresults; a specific geographical region of interest, from which todisplay search results; a corridor or commuting route from which anypoint along the corridor can be used as the starting point to derive thedistance to a store associated with a search result. The map may bepresented as part of a web-based map application, a desktop computerapplication, or an application that is specific to a particular mobilecomputing platform (e.g., such as Apple's iOS, or Google's Androidoperating systems.)

For instance, with some embodiments, a user may simply select a locationon a map (using a pointing device, such as a mouse, or a finger orstylus with a touch screen display) to indicate his current location, ora location at which the user will be at some future time and from whichthe distance or travel time to another locations should be derived. Withsome embodiments, the user may define a circular region by simplydragging his or her finger or stylus (or taking a similar action with apointing device) to specify a diameter, or radius, of a circle making upa circular region (see example illustrated in FIG. 8) from which searchresults should be presented. In other embodiments, the user may simplydraw any closed shape to specify the region to be searched for localresults. In yet other embodiments, the user may trace or highlight aspecific road or set of roads that comprise a route that the userfrequently travels. This route can then be used to identify storesassociated with search results, such that those stores closest indistance or travel time to any point along the route can be presented.

With some embodiments, the search results may be shown in a simple list,with each individual result including any one or more of: a price atwhich a product or service is being offered; a store name (virtualonline, or physical, e.g., local brick and mortar); a brief descriptionof the product or service being offered; a physical distance from auser's location to the store at which the product or service is beingoffered; a link to share the listing with someone; a link to a mapshowing directions from the user's current location, or someuser-specified location, to the store; a travel time indicating how long(in time) it would take the user to travel via a particular mode to thelocation of the store at which the product is being offered; and aquantity of a product being offered at the store. With some embodiments,search results for online virtual stores are shown separately from thesearch results for locally available products and/or services, while insome embodiments, the search results are intermingled, and/or arrangedaccording to some other specific aspect or attribute, such as price.With some embodiments, a user may filter the search results to only viewproducts and/or services: located at stores within a threshold distance;located at stores within a threshold travel time (where the mode oftravel can be specified), that have prices that are less than, orexceed, some threshold price, and so forth.

With some embodiments, the search results may be presented via amulti-axis table, with each axis representing a single attribute ofinterest. For example, with some embodiments, the search results may berepresented as graphics or icons presented along an X and Y axis withthe X axis representing distance or travel time, and the Y axisrepresenting price (see example user interface of FIG. 9). With such anembodiment, the user can very quickly get a sense of which local storeis both closest (in distance and/or travel time), and has a product at areasonable price relative to other stores. Other beneficial aspects ofthe embodiments of the present invention will be readily apparent fromthe description of the figures that follows.

Consistent with some embodiments of the invention, an applicationexecuting on a client computing device allows a user to interact with auser interface presented via the client computing device to provide oneor more search terms for use in a search query to be executed against aset of marketplace listings hosted at a publication server system. Thesearch query is then communicated to a search engine operating inconjunction with the publication server system, and processed toidentify search results that satisfy the user-provided search terms. Inaddition to communicating the search term(s) as part of the searchquery, the client-computing device communicates to the search engineinformation identifying a corridor or route, such as the portions of oneor more roads on which a user tends to travel as part of a dailycommute. The search engine then processes the search query to identifythe marketplace listings that satisfy the search query, and areassociated with a brick-and-mortar store that is within some predefineddistance of a point along the corridor or commute route.

With some embodiments, the information identifying the corridor orcommute route is established by the user interacting with an interactivemap that is part of the application that facilitates the search query.For example, with some embodiments, a user may select (e.g., with afinger or stylus on a touch sensitive display, or a pointing device witha conventional display) a starting location on a map, and then trace ordrag his finger (or stylus, or pointing device) along a road, or set ofroads, displayed in the map, thereby selecting or otherwise specifying aroute frequently travelled by the user. With other embodiments, asoftware application may analyze location information generated by alocation based device (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) device)that is part of a mobile computing device. Accordingly, the corridor orcommute route may be automatically determined by analysing thehistorical location information generated by the mobile computingdevice.

With some embodiments, the user may specify a threshold distance thats/he is willing to travel from his or her commute path to visit a storeand obtain a product/service associated with a search result.Accordingly, only those search results that are associated withproducts/services being offered at locations within the predefinedthreshold will be displayed or presented. For example, the search enginewill use the information identifying the corridor or commute path andthe threshold distance to identify only the relevant search results.Alternatively, the search engine, or an application on the clientcomputing device, will filter the search results to only display therelevant results (i.e., those satisfying the distance threshold definedby the user). With some embodiments, the search results are presented ona map, for example, as pins or icons positioned on the map in thelocation of the store associated with a product/service being offeredvia the search result. In such instances, the pins or icons aregenerally interactive, such that, when selected, additional informationabout a relevant product/service and/or store is presented.

In accordance with an example embodiment, a network-based system canprovide a platform to provide both a navigated shopping service andintegrated payment capabilities. In certain examples, the navigatedshopping service and the payment service can be provided by separatesystems. In some examples, the user interacts with a network-basedsystem (e.g., navigated shopping service and/or payment service) via amobile device, such as a smartphone, a tablet computing device, or anin-vehicle intelligent navigation system, among others. In an example,the network-based system can include a publication module capable ofdelivering location-based offers to a user based on stored user profiledata, local merchant campaigns, and current or future location data. Incertain examples, using the navigated shopping service can includeconfiguring automatic payments via an integrated or partner paymentprocessing system, such as the PayPal™ payment system (from eBay Inc. ofSan Jose, Calif.).

Example System

FIG. 1A is a block diagram depicting a system 100 for delivering searchresults, according to an example embodiment. The system 100 can includea user 110, a network-based publication system 120 with a search engine,and one or more merchants 130 (and merchant systems). In an example, theuser 110 can connect to the network-based publication system 120 via amobile device 115 (e.g., desktop, laptop, smart phone, PDA, or similarelectronic device capable of some form of data connectivity). Thenetwork-based publication system 120 will receive and process a queryfrom the user's mobile device 115. Generally, location informationspecifying the physical or geographical location of the user 110 will bereceived with the query. For example, the mobile device 115 can includea GPS unit to inform the mobile device 115 of its location, such thatthe location information of the mobile device 115 can be shared with thenetwork-based publication system 120. Other known techniques forderiving location information may be used with both mobile andnon-mobile client computing devices, for example, such as desktopcomputers, etc. For instance, with some embodiments, the locationinformation indicating the location of the user 110 may be explicitlyspecified by the user 110, for example, by the user 110 interacting witha map.

In an example, the merchant 130 can operate computer systems, such as aninventory system 132 or a POS system 134. The network-based publicationsystem 120 can interact with any of the systems 132, 134 used bymerchant 130 for operation of the merchant's retail or service business.In an example, the network-based publication system 120 can work withboth POS system 134 and inventory system 132 to obtain access toinventory available at individual retail locations run by the merchant130. This inventory information can be used in both generating productor service listings, and selecting and ordering search results served bythe network-based publication system 120.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram depicting a system 100B for providing anetwork-based navigated shopping service. The system 100B can include avehicle 150, a user 110, a network-based navigated shopping servicesystem 120 (also referred to as network-based shopping system 120), amerchant 130, and a network-based payment service 140. In an example,the user 110 can connect to the network-based shopping system 120 via amobile device 115A (e.g., smart phone, PDA, laptop, or similar mobileelectronic device capable of some form of data connectivity). In anotherexample, a user, such as user 110, can be within a vehicle 150 andconnect to the network-based navigated shopping system 125 via a mobiledevice 115B. In certain examples, the mobile device 115B can include anin-vehicle programmable navigation system. For simplicity, mobile device115B and mobile device 115A will be referred to collectively as mobiledevice 115 (unless specifically noted, analogous to mobile device 115illustrated in FIG. 1A). In an example, the merchant 130 can operatecomputer systems, such as an inventory system 132 or a point of sale(POS) system 134, among others. The network-based shopping system 125can interact with any of the systems 132, 134 used by merchant 130 foroperation of the merchant's retail or service business. In an example,the network-based shopping system 125 can work with both the POS system134 and inventory system 132 to obtain access to inventory available atindividual retail locations run by the merchant 130 and matchmerchandise to item desired by users of the network-based shoppingservice 125. Additionally, the network-based payment service 140 canalso interact with the merchant 130 via the POS system 134, enabling thenetwork-based shopping system 125 to provide payment services offered bythe network-based payment service 140 and make payments directly to themerchant 130. In certain examples, the network-based shopping system 125and the payment service 140 can be integrated.

Example Operating Environment

With some embodiments, the user may explicitly indicate or specify hiscurrent location for use in deriving a distance or travel time to storesoffering products/services. However, with some embodiments, locationinformation of the user may be derived with a mobile computing device ofthe user. In some additional embodiments, the user may explicitlyindicate or specify his daily travelled commute route (or some otherroute) for use in determining a set of search results based on thedistance or travel time to stores offering products/services. However,with some embodiments, location information (and particularly, thecommute or travel path) of the user may be derived with a mobilecomputing device of the user.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an environment 200 for operatinga mobile device 115, according to an example embodiment. The environment200 is an example environment within which methods of serving searchresults can be operated. In another example, environment 200 can host anavigated shopping service, which can also include the methods ofserving search results discussed herein. The environment 200 can includea mobile device 115, a communication connection 210, a network 220,servers 230, a communication satellite 270, a merchant server 280, and adatabase 290. The servers 230 can optionally include location basedservice application 240, location determination application 250,publication application 260 with search engine 261, and paymentapplication 265. The database 290 can optionally include merchantdatabases 292, user profile database 294, and/or location historydatabase 296. The mobile device 115 represents one example device thatcan be utilized by a user to receive offers and share contextinformation associated with the user. The mobile device 115 may be anyof a variety of types of devices (for example, a cellular telephone, aPDA, a Personal Navigation Device (PND), a handheld computer, a tabletcomputer, a notebook computer, or other type of movable device). Themobile device 115 may interface via a connection 210 with acommunication network 220. Depending on the form of the mobile device115, any of a variety of types of connections 210 and communicationnetworks 220 may be used.

For example, the connection 210 may be Code Division Multiple Access(CDMA) connection, a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM)connection, or other type of cellular connection. Such connection 210may implement any of a variety of types of data transfer technology,such as Single Carrier Radio Transmission Technology (1×RTT),Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO) technology, General Packet Radio Service(GPRS) technology, Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE)technology, or other data transfer technology (e.g., fourth generationwireless, 4G networks). When such technology is employed, thecommunication network 220 may include a cellular network that has aplurality of cell sites of overlapping geographic coverage,interconnected by cellular telephone exchanges. These cellular telephoneexchanges may be coupled to a network backbone (for example, the publicswitched telephone network (PSTN), a packet-switched data network, orother types of networks).

In another example, the connection 210 may be Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi,IEEE 802.11x type) connection, a Worldwide Interoperability forMicrowave Access (WiMAX) connection, or another type of wireless dataconnection. In such an embodiment, the communication network 220 mayinclude one or more wireless access points coupled to a local areanetwork (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, or otherpacket-switched data network.

In yet another example, the connection 210 may be a wired connection,for example an Ethernet link, and the communication network may be aLAN, a WAN, the Internet, or other packet-switched data network.Accordingly, a variety of different configurations are expresslycontemplated.

A plurality of servers 230 may be coupled via interfaces to thecommunication network 220, for example, via wired or wirelessinterfaces. These servers 230 may be configured to provide various typesof services to the mobile device 115. For example, one or more servers230 may execute location based service (LBS) applications 240, whichinteroperate with software executing on the mobile device 115, toprovide LBSs to a user. LBSs can use knowledge of the device's location,and/or the location of other devices and/or retail stores, etc., toprovide location-specific information, recommendations, notifications,interactive capabilities, and/or other functionality to a user. Withsome embodiments, the LBS operates in conjunction with the publicationapplication 260 and search engine 261, in particular, to provide searchresults that are arranged based on the distance or travel time between amobile device 115 (or other computer device) and a retail store. Forexample, an LBS application 240 can provide location data to anetwork-based publication system 120, which can then be used to arrangea set of search results, based on distance and/or travel time betweentwo locations. Knowledge of the mobile device's location, and/or thelocation of other devices, may be obtained through interoperation of themobile device 115 with a location determination application 250executing on one or more of the servers 230. Location information mayalso be provided by the mobile device 115, without use of a locationdetermination application such as application 250. In certain examples,the mobile device 115 may have some limited location determinationcapabilities that are augmented by the location determinationapplication 250.

Example Mobile Device

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the mobile device 115, accordingto an example embodiment. The mobile device 115 may include a processor310. The processor 310 may be any of a variety of different types ofcommercially available processors suitable for mobile devices (forexample, an XScale architecture microprocessor, a Microprocessor withoutInterlocked Pipeline Stages (MIPS) architecture processor, or anothertype of processor). A memory 320, such as a Random Access Memory (RAM),a Flash memory, or other type of memory, is typically accessible to theprocessor 310. The memory 320 may be adapted to store an operatingsystem (OS) 330, as well as application programs 340, such as a mobilelocation enabled applications that may provide LBSs to a user. Theprocessor 310 may be coupled, either directly or via appropriateintermediary hardware, to a display 350 and to one or more input/output(I/O) devices 360, such as a keypad, a touch panel sensor, a microphone,and the like. Similarly, in some embodiments, the processor 310 may becoupled to a transceiver 370 that interfaces with an antenna 390. Thetransceiver 370 may be configured to both transmit and receive cellularnetwork signals, wireless data signals, or other types of signals viathe antenna 390, depending on the nature of the mobile device 115. Inthis manner, the connection 210 with the communication network 220 maybe established. Further, in some configurations, a GPS receiver 380 mayalso make use of the antenna 390 to receive GPS signals.

Additional detail regarding providing and receiving location-basedservices can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,848,765, titled “Location-BasedServices,” granted to Phillips et al. and assigned to Where, Inc. ofBoston, Mass., which is hereby incorporated by reference.

An example geo-location concept discussed within U.S. Pat. No. 7,848,765is a geofence. A geofence can be defined as a perimeter or boundaryaround a physical location or mobile object (e.g., a user). A geofencecan be as simple as a radius around a physical location defining acircular region around the location. However, a geofence can be anygeometric shape or an arbitrary boundary drawn on a map. A geofence canbe used to determine a geographical area of interest for the calculationof demographics, advertising, presenting search results, or similarpurposes. Geofences can be used in conjunction with identifying andpresenting search results, as described herein. For example, a geofencecan be used to assist in determining whether a user (or mobile deviceassociated with the user) is within a geographic area of a particularmerchant. If the user is within a geofence established by the merchantor the publication system, the systems discussed herein can use thatinformation to identify and present search results (e.g., via a mobiledevice associated with the user).

Example Platform Architecture

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a network-based system 400 forprocessing a search query, and presenting search results, as describedmore fully herein. The network-based system 400 can also providenavigated shopping services as described more fully herein. The blockdiagram depicts a network-based system 400 (in the exemplary form of aclient-server system), within which an example embodiment can bedeployed. A networked system 402 is shown, in the example form of anetwork-based location-aware publication, advertisement, or marketplacesystem, that provides server-side functionality, via a network 404(e.g., the Internet or WAN) to one or more client machines 410, 412.FIG. 4 illustrates, for example, a web client 406 (e.g., a browser, suchas the Internet Explorer browser developed by Microsoft Corporation ofRedmond, Wash. State) and a programmatic client 408 executing onrespective client machines 410 and 412. In an example, the clientmachines 410 and 412 can be in the form of a mobile device, such asmobile device 115.

An Application Programming Interface (API) server 414 and a web server416 are coupled to, and provide programmatic and web interfacesrespectively to, one or more application servers 418. The applicationservers 418 host one or more publication modules 420 (in certainexamples, these can also include search engine modules, commercemodules, advertising modules, and marketplace modules, to name a few),payment modules 422, dynamic offer modules 432, and optionally shoppingmodules 434. The application servers 418 are, in turn, shown to becoupled to one or more database servers 424 that facilitate access toone or more databases 426. In some examples, the application server(s)418 can access the database(s) 426 directly without the need for adatabase server(s) 424.

The publication modules 420 may provide a number of publication andsearch functions and services to users that access the networked system402. The payment modules 422 may likewise provide a number of paymentservices and functions to users. The payment modules 422 may allow usersto accumulate value (e.g., in a commercial currency, such as the U.S.dollar, or a proprietary currency, such as “points”) in accounts, andthen later to redeem the accumulated value for products (e.g., goods orservices) that are advertised or made available via the variouspublication modules 420, within retail locations, or within externalonline retail venues. The payment modules 422 may also be configured topresent or facilitate a redemption of offers, generated by thelocation-aware (dynamic) offer modules 432, to a user during checkout(or prior to checkout, while the user is still actively shopping). Theoffer modules 432 may provide dynamic context sensitive offers (e.g.,coupons or immediate discount deals on targeted products or services) tousers of the networked system 402. The offer modules 432 can beconfigured to use all of the various communication mechanisms providedby the networked system 402 to present offer options to users. The offeroptions can be personalized based on current location, time of day, userprofile data, past purchase history, or recent physical or onlinebehaviors recorded by the network-based system 400, among other things(e.g., context information). While the publication modules 420, paymentmodules 422, and offer modules 432 are shown in FIG. 4 to all form partof the networked system 402, it will be appreciated that, in alternativeembodiments, the payment modules 422 may form part of a payment servicethat is separate and distinct from the networked system 402.Additionally, in some examples, the offer modules 432 may be part of thepayment service or may form an offer generation service separate anddistinct from the networked system 402.

In certain examples, the shopping modules 434 may provide real-timenavigation route updates listing physical retail outlets that have itemson a shopping list uploaded by a user of the networked system 402. Theshopping modules 434 can be configured to use all of the variouscommunication mechanisms provided by the networked system 402 totransmit information to a client machine, such as client machine 412.The shopping modules 434 can also present special offers available fromretail merchants, such as merchant 130, along a user's currentnavigation route. The offers can be personalized based on currentlocation, time of day, user profile data, past purchase history, orrecent physical or online behaviors recorded by the network-based system400, among other things.

Further, while the system 400 shown in FIG. 4 employs a client-serverarchitecture, the present invention is of course not limited to such anarchitecture, and could equally well find application in a distributed,or peer-to-peer, architecture system, for example. The variouspublication modules 420, payment modules 422, and offer modules 432could also be implemented as standalone systems or software programs,which do not necessarily have networking capabilities.

The web client 406 accesses the various publication modules 420, paymentmodules 422, and offer modules 432 via the web interface supported bythe web server 416. Similarly, the programmatic client 408 accesses thevarious services and functions provided by the publication modules 420,payment modules 422, and offer modules 432 via the programmaticinterface provided by the API server 414. The programmatic client 408may, for example, be a smartphone application that enables users tocommunicate search queries to the system 400 while leveraging userprofile data and current location information provided by the smartphoneor accessed over the network 404.

FIG. 4 also illustrates a third party application 428, executing on athird party server machine 440, as having programmatic access to thenetworked system 402 via the programmatic interface provided by the APIserver 414. For example, the third party application 428 may, utilizinginformation retrieved from the networked system 402, support one or morefeatures or functions on a website hosted by the third party. The thirdparty website may, for example, provide one or more promotional,marketplace or payment functions that are supported by the relevantapplications of the networked system 402. Additionally, the third partywebsite may provide merchants with access to the offer modules 432 forconfiguration purposes. In certain examples, merchants can useprogrammatic interfaces provided by the API server 414 to develop andimplement rules-based pricing schemes that can be implemented via thepublication modules 420, payment modules 422, offer modules 432, andoptionally shopping modules 434.

Example Shopping Modules

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating shopping modules 434, accordingto an example embodiment. In this example, the shopping modules 434 caninclude a routing module 505, a user profile module 510, a mappingengine 520, a location module 530, and a merchant module 540. In anexample, the payment modules 422 can access database 426 to store and/orretrieve payment transaction data, user profile data, and location data,as well as other information to enable navigated shopping, such asmerchant inventory data, among other things.

The routing module 505 can use information obtained from a user, thelocation module 530, and the merchant module 540 to create a shoppingroute that allows a user to purchase items of interest along anavigation route. The routing module 505 can process merchant locationinformation, inventory information, use location information, andnavigation route information to develop shopping routes.

The user-profile module 510 can manage user preferences, shopping lists,and recent destinations, among other things. In an example, theuser-profile module 510 can communicate with database 426 and well asdirectly with a client machine, such as client machine 412.

The merchant module 540 can manage communications with merchantsregistered to offer goods or services, such as merchant 130, via thenetworked system 402. The merchant module 540 can maintain location dataand real-time inventory for participating merchants.

The location module 530 can monitor real-time location information onclients, such as by monitoring (or receiving) location informationregarding client machines, such as client machine 410. The locationmodule 530 can communicate real-time location information to the routingmodule 505 and the mapping engine 520 as needed.

The mapping engine 520 can work with the routing module 505, locationmodule 530, user-profile module 510, and merchant module 540 to map alocation associated with the user, desired route, as well as merchantretail locations selling desired items.

Additional details regarding the functionality provided by the shoppingmodules 434 are detailed below in reference to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13.

Example Search Query Methods

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method 600 for processing a searchquery, according to an example embodiment. In an example, the method 600can include operations such as: receiving a search query at operation605, identifying search results at operation 610, arranging searchresults at operation 615, and communicating the search results atoperation 620. In an example, the method 600 can begin at operation 605with the networked system 402 receiving a search query from a client,such as client machine 410. The search query can include locationinformation associated with the client device, such as locationinformation from a location-enabled mobile device (e.g., mobile device115). At operation 610, the method 600 can continue with the networkedsystem 402 identifying a set of search results satisfying the searchquery. In an example, the search results can include geographicinformation associated with each result. At operation 615, the method600 can continue with the networked system 402 arranging the searchresults according to predetermined criteria. In an example, thenetworked system 402 can arrange the search results geographically basedon a physical brick-and-mortar store (e.g., retail location) inreference to a location associated with a mobile device of the userrequesting the results. In an example, the search results can bearranged based on travel time from the mobile device location. Inanother example, the search results can be arranged based on distancefrom the mobile device location. At operation 620, the method 600 canconclude with the networked system 402 communicating the search resultsto a user device, such as mobile device 115, for display. In an example,the search results can be displayed in a map view. In another example,the search results can be displayed in a list view, sorted according tothe arrangements discussed above. Additional display options arediscussed below in reference to the example user-interfaces.

Example Search Query User Interfaces

FIG. 7 illustrates an example user interface showing search resultspresented consistent with some embodiments of the invention. In theexample user interface of FIG. 7, the search results are groupedaccording to their type, for example, search results associated withvirtual or online stores, and search results associated with localbrick-and-mortar stores. In addition to showing information associatedwith a product satisfying the search query, the individual listings forthe local brick-and-mortar stores are arranged according to the timeneeded for the user to travel from his current location to the store atwhich the product is being offered. For example the top search result inthe list for local brick-and-mortar stores indicates that the product,(e.g., the TV) is being offered by Best Buy for $2499. The travel timeto the particular Best Buy where the product is being offered is 5 min.,as indicated by the graphic with reference number 700. In addition, theexample user interface shows the address of the store, a telephonenumber for the store, and store hours. Also, the user can select thecheckbox with reference number 705 to have the store location shown on amap. For example, with some embodiments, by checking or selecting one ormore of the check boxes associated with each product or service listing,the user can indicate that he would like to view the location of thestores offering the product or service on a map.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the user interface includes a slider mechanism710 that serves as a filter, allowing the user to filter the searchresults by travel time. In this example the user has positioned theslider mechanism so that only local search results that are within 60min. of the user's current location are presented in the search resultspage.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example user interface of an application for amobile device including an interactive map on which search results canbe shown, according to some embodiments of the invention. As illustratedin FIG. 8, the user can indicate a geographical region of interest. Inthis example the user has simply placed his finger in a first locationon the map and then dragged his finger to generate a circle, which willserve as the geographical area of interest for purposes of filtering andpresenting the search results. Assuming the user selects the center ofthe circle as his current location, the user will be presented with aquick visual presentation of the locations of products being offered inthe search results. Selecting an icon representing a search result maycause a pop-up window to present more detailed information about thestore and/or the product being offered via the search result for thatstore. Several navigational icons are shown at the bottom of the pageallowing the user to very quickly switch to alternative user interfaces.For example by selecting a particular icon the user can have the searchresults presented in a list, as shown in FIG. 7. Another navigationalicon allows the user to view a multi-axis display of the search results,as shown and described in FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example user interface showing a map, and having amulti-axis table presenting the search results arranged by a combinationof their price and distance and/or travel time. In this example, thevertical axis, or Y axis, represents the price of the products orservices. The horizontal axis, or X axis, represents the distance, ortravel time, from the user's current location to the location at whichthe product or service can be obtained. As such, the user can veryquickly and easily weigh the trade-offs between price and travel time toidentify a local store that is both close in terms of travel time andoffering the product at a reasonable price relative to the other stores.

FIG. 10A illustrates another example user interface presenting aninteractive map on a tablet or mobile computing device for use indefining a corridor or route with which to identify or filter relevantsearch results, according to some embodiments of the invention. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 10A, a user may use a finger or stylusto designate or select a road, or set of roads, as a corridor or commuteroute of interest for purposes of a particular search for a product orservice. By simply dragging his finger along the route, the applicationwill identify a road, and then highlight the road to indicate theselected corridor or route of interest.

After selecting or otherwise specifying a particular road, or set ofroads, the user can specify a distance that he is willing to travel fromthe route to obtain the particular product or service being searchedfor. For instance, as illustrated in the example user interface of FIGS.10B and 10C, the user can select one of the three icons or buttonslabelled, “15 Mins”, “10 Mins”, or “5 Mins” to indicate the time theuser is willing to travel away from the defined corridor or commute pathto obtain a relevant product or service (FIG. 10B illustrating the 5Mins selection and corresponding corridor, and FIG. 10C illustrating the10 Mins selection and corresponding corridor). Of course, a wide varietyof other techniques could be used to establish the threshold distance ortravel time. With some embodiments, upon a threshold distance or traveltime being selected, the map is updated to indicate the generalgeographical area that is within proximity of the corridor or commutepath. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10C, the corridor or commutepath is shown to be a width consistent with the user's defined thresholdtravel time of 10 minutes.

Once the user has defined the corridor and the threshold distance ortravel time, the search engine will process the search query, or filterpreviously identified search results, to identify only those searchresults that are relevant because they are associated with a store thatis located within the geographical area defined by the corridor andthreshold distance (or travel time). For example, as illustrated in theexample user interface of FIG. 11, several icons (or pins) representingstores associated with a particular search result are shown to bepositioned within the highlighted corridor. By selecting a particularpin or icon, the user can learn more about the product/service beingoffered at the particular store represented by the pin/icon, and/orabout the store itself—such as the actual address of the store,telephone number of the store, store hours for the store, and distance(or travel time) from the defined corridor.

Example Navigated Shopping Methods

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1200 for navigatedshopping, according to an example embodiment. In an example, the method1200 can include operations such as: creating a shopping list atoperation 1205, selecting items at operation 1210, entering adestination at operation 1215, selecting items for purchase at operation1225, authorizing payment for selected items at operation 1235,receiving a receipt for selected items at operation 1240 and receivingpurchased items from merchant locations at operation 1245. Optionally,the method 1200 can also include operations such as: reviewing route atoperation 1220 and selecting purchase options at operation 1230. In anexample, the method 1200 is performed via a mobile device, such asmobile device 115.

In an example, the method 1200 can begin at operation 1205 with a usercreating a wish or shopping list via mobile device 115. In anotherexample, the user can create a shopping list via a web browser runningon client machine 410. In certain examples, the user may not create awish list or shopping list in advance of a particular trip. In theseexamples, the mobile device 115 can be used to enter items on-the-fly(e.g., during a trip) at operation 1210. In the example where the userhas a shopping list created, the method 1200 can continue at operation1210 with the user selecting items from the shopping list via the mobiledevice 115.

At operation 1215, the method 1200 can continue with the user entering adestination into the mobile device 115 in order to obtain a navigationroute (refer to FIG. 12 for an example route display on a mobile device,such as mobile device 115). The operations in method 1200 do notnecessarily need to be performed in the illustrated order. For example,the user can enter a destination at operation 1215 prior to selectingitems from a shopping list at operation 1210.

At operation 1220, the method 1200 can optionally continue with thenavigation route being displayed for review on the mobile device 115. Incertain examples, the items selected at operation 1210 can also bedisplayed if available from merchants along the navigation route.

At operation 1225, the method 1200 can continue with the user selectingitems for purchase during the planned trip via the mobile device 115.Item selection can occur via a touch screen interface on the mobiledevice 115 (if available), with the user selecting items displayed onthe map display. In another example, the mobile device 115 can display alist view of the items available at merchant locations within apre-defined distance from the navigation route. In an example, thedisplay of available items can change in real-time based on actuallocation (route taken) and available inventory from merchant locations.For example, if the user deviates from the planned navigation route, thenetwork-based navigated shopping system 125 can recalculate theavailable items from merchants within a certain distance of the newroute or current location.

At operation 1230, the method 1200 can optionally continue with themobile device 115 presenting purchase options to the user. In anexample, the purchase options can include store (merchant) pickup(typically the default), home delivery, or delay. The delay optionallows the user to delay a decision regarding pickup, and thenetwork-based navigated shopping system 125 will request instructionsregarding delivery at a later time. In an example, if the user selectsdelay and then passes the merchant location on the navigation route, thenetwork-based navigated shopping system 125 can automatically revert tohome delivery or can be instructed to locate a different merchantlocation along the route. In an example, the purchase options can alsoinclude payment options. The payment options can include immediatepayment (including method of payment), pay after delivery, pay atpickup, or some form of deferred payment, among others. In certainexamples integrated into mobile device 115B, a vehicle registrationnumber (e.g., license plate) can be used to validate payment uponmerchant pickup. In other examples, the mobile device 115 can includebiometric (e.g., finger print or voice recognition) authentication andauthorization systems that can be used in conjunction with a navigatedshopping service.

At operation 1235, the method 1200 can continue with the userauthorizing payment for the selected items via the mobile device 115. Atoperation 1240, the method 1200 continues with the mobile device 115receiving a receipt for purchased items. In an example, the receiptreceived by the mobile device 115 can include pickup or deliveryinstructions for the selected items.

Finally, at operation 1245, the method 1200 can conclude with the userreceiving the purchased items from the merchant locations. In someexamples, the user can collect the purchased items from each of themerchant locations along the navigation route. In other examples, thepurchased items (or some of the purchased items) can be delivered to theuser's home. Alternatively, the purchased items can be delivered to theplanned destination address. The mechanism of receipt of the purchaseditems may be dependent on the purchase option(s) selected in operation1230.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1300 for providingnavigated shopping services, according to an example embodiment. In anexample, the method 1300 can include operations such as receiving a listof items at operation 1305, receiving a desired route at operation 1310,locating merchants along the route at operation 1315, transmittingmerchant and available inventory information at operation 1320,receiving items selected for purchase at operation 1325, receivingpayment authorization at operation 1330, transmitting purchase requeststo merchants at operation 1335, receiving confirmations from merchantsat operation 1340, and transmitting purchase confirmation at operation1345. In an example, the method 1300 can be performed on thenetwork-based navigated shopping system 125 or the networked system 402.

In an example, the method 1300 can begin at operation 1305 with thenetworked system 402 receiving a list of items for purchase via thenavigated shopping service. At operation 1310, the method 1300 cancontinue with the networked system 402 receiving a desired route from aclient machine, such as client machine 412. In an example, instead of aroute, the networked system 402 can receive a desired destination, andthe networked system 402 can develop the route (such as via the routingmodule 505).

At operation 1315, the method 1300 can continue with the networkedsystem 402 locating merchant locations along the desired navigationroute that sell one or more of the items received for purchase via thenavigated shopping service. In an example, the networked system 402 canalso determine whether the merchant location has the desired item oritems in inventory. In certain examples, the networked system 402 cancommunicate with a real-time inventor service, such as MILO (from eBayInc. of San Jose Calif.), to determine available inventory.

At operation 1320, the method 1300 can continue with the networkedsystem 402 transmitting merchant and available inventor information to aclient machine, such as the client machine 412. In some examples, thenetworked system 402 also transmits route and map information to theclient machine 412.

At operation 1325, the method 1300 can continue with the networkedsystem 402 receiving items selected for purchase via the navigatedshopping service. At operation 1330, the method 1300 can continue withthe networked system 402 receiving payment authorization for theselected items. Additionally, the networked system 402 can also receivepurchase options associated with each of the items selected for purchase(not specifically illustrated within method 1300). See discussion abovein reference to FIG. 6 for available purchase options that can behandled by the networked system 402.

At operation 1335, the method 1300 can continue with the networkedsystem 402 transmitting purchase requests to the merchants associatedwith the purchased items. In an example, the networked system 402 canalso transmit delivery instructions associated with each of thepurchased items. For example, one of the purchased items may need to bedelivered, while a different purchased item may be prepared for pickup.

At operation 1340, the method 1300 can continue with the networkedsystem 402 receiving confirmations from the merchants regarding thepurchased items. The confirmations can include an availability indictorand shipping information, among other things. At operation 1345, themethod 1300 can conclude with the networked system 402 transmittingpurchase confirmation information to the client machine 412. Theconfirmation sent to the client machine 412 can include a receipt,pickup instructions, delivery confirmation, and any other informationneeded for the user to receive the purchased items.

Example Navigated Shopping System User Interfaces

FIG. 14A is an illustration of a mobile device display 1400, accordingto an example embodiment. In an example, a user can download and installa navigated shopping application onto a mobile device, such asin-vehicle mobile device 115B. Once installed, the navigated shoppingapplication can allow a user to create a wish list of items, such as thewish list illustrated in FIG. 14B. In certain examples, the navigatedshopping system can provide web-based (e.g., browser) and/or smart phoneapplication interfaces for wish list maintenance.

FIG. 15 is an illustration of a mobile device display 1500 depicting ashopping route provided by a navigated shopping service, according to anexample embodiment. The mobile device display 1500 can include a mapview 1505, a highlighted route 1510, retail locations 1515A-1515N(collectively referred to as retail location(s) 1515), and purchaseprice indicators 1520A-1520N (collectively referred to as purchase priceindictor(s) 1520). In an example, the user can specify a distanceoff-route for display of retail locations 1515. In another example, themap view 1505 can be limited to displaying only the retail locations1515 selected by the navigated shopping application.

Example Local Listings Method

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating a method 1600 for providinglocation-based services, according to an example embodiment. In anexample, the method 1600 can include operations such as: retrievinglistings at operation 1605, determining a location of a mobile device atoperation 1610, retrieving search results at operation 1615, generatinga display of search results at operation 1620, and transmitting thedisplay at operation 1625. At operation 1605, the method 1600 can beginwith the networked system 402 receiving a request to view listingsreceived from a client device and retrieving listings matching thesearch request. The request may be generated by a mobile application(e.g., a programmatic application, a web browser application) executingin the client device 115. The request may be a search query containingone or more search parameters by which to search listings stored withinnetworked system 402. Alternatively, the request may be a request tonavigate among categories and sub-categories of stored listings.Listings may pertain to items or services offered for sale, or othervarieties of published information. In some embodiments, listings maypertain to events, such as garage or estate sales, which have finitetime duration and which may offer one or more items for sale.

At operation 1610, the method 1600 can continue with the networkedsystem 402 determining, or in some examples receiving, a locationassociated with the client device 115. In some embodiments, the locationmay be transmitted with the request to view listings. In someembodiments, location-related data may be transmitted from the clientdevice 115, and a location may be ascertained based on thelocation-related data. For example, a set of longitude and latitudecoordinates may be transmitted, and from the coordinates, a location(e.g., cross-streets, city, state, region) may be determined. In otherexamples, the networked system 402 can operate to ascertain the locationof the mobile device 115 through other means, such as communication witha network service provider that tracks location of mobile devices, suchas mobile device 115.

At operation 1615, the method 1600 can continue with the networkedsystem 402 using the location information to retrieve listings havinglocations identified as being with a predetermined geographic proximityto the client device 115. The listings may be stored with locationinformation indicating where the item or service being offered islocated.

At operation 1620, the method 1600 can continue with the networkedsystem 402 generating an interface that depicts retrieved listingsrelative to the location of the client device (see discussion related toFIGS. 17 and 18 below for additional details). In some embodiments, theinterface may be a map with listings and the client device may beoverlaid. In some embodiments, the interface may be a web pagecontaining a list of listings ordered according to one of a variety ofattributes, such as distance from the client device. At operation 1625,the method 1600 can conclude with the networked system 402 transmittingthe interface to the user.

Example Local Listings User Interfaces

FIG. 17 is a user interface diagram depicting location-based servicesoperating on a client device, according to an example embodiment.Referring to FIG. 17, an example client device 115 is shown. Clientdevice 115 may have a display screen area 1702 on which a map is shown.The map may be an interface belonging to an application capable of beingselected for execution by a user of the client device 115. The map maydisplay a region surrounding a determined location, such as location1704, of the client device 115. For illustration purposes, the mapillustrated in FIG. 17 is a rudimentary map. The map may illustrate alocation of the client device 115 as determined by location generatingcircuitry, such as the GPS Receiver 380 (FIG. 3). One or more listings1708A-1708N (collectively referred to as listing(s) 1708) that arewithin a predefined radius 1706 of client device 115 and may bedisplayed on the map. In some embodiments, the user may define a radius1706 within which the user is interested in having listings presented.The radius 1706 may be defined as a distance (e.g., miles) or as anamount of time to travel to the location of the listing (e.g., minutes).In an example, the user interface can provide various methods for a userto input radius 1706, such as dragging a circle on the display screenarea 1702, a scroll bar, or a numerical input, among others.

In some embodiments, any listings located within the radius 1706 of thecurrent location of the user may be displayed. In some embodiments,listings corresponding to saved searches, categories or sub-categoriesindicated as of interest to the user, groups of interest to the user,specific items of interest to the user, and so forth may be presented.For example, if a user is looking for a chainsaw, the user may specifyand save certain criteria, such as one or more of a maximum price, abrand, a condition of the item, a minimum reputation score of a sellerof an item, and a distance of the item from the location of the user,within the networked system 402. When a user travels within a predefinedproximity of a listing 1708 meeting the user's saved criteria, thelisting 1708 may be presented to the user as being a local listing. Inan example, the user interface on the mobile device 115 canautomatically change to displaying a detailed description of the locallisting selected from listings 1708 based on proximity.

In some embodiments, a subset of listings that are available forpresentation may be presented to the user. By displaying only a subsetof listings, the display screen area 1702 of the client device 115 mayavoid becoming overcrowded. In other embodiments, if the number ofavailable listings 1708 meeting the criteria set forth for presentationto the user exceeds a predetermined threshold, the map may be zoomed into a finer granularity to display a more manageable number of listings1708.

In some embodiments, icons representing certain listings on the map maybe color coded, enlarged, or otherwise emphasized to highlight thelistings to the user. Various factors may cause listings to beemphasized. For example, if a listing corresponds to an event, such as agarage sale or estate sale, the listing may have a finite time periodbefore expiration. The listings may be visually emphasized to notify auser that the listing corresponding to the event may be expiring soon.In other embodiments, icons representing certain listings may beemphasized if the listings meet certain saved criteria. For example,listings meeting the criteria of a user may be emphasized to alert auser that an item desired by the user is located nearby to the user.

In some embodiments, a notification may be presented to a user that alocal listing, selected from listings 1708, is available. Thenotification may be a pop-up, a message, a sound, or other type ofnotification that alerts a user visually and/or audibly as to theavailability of a listing 1708.

FIG. 18 is a diagram depicting a location-based service operating on aclient device, according to an example embodiment. FIG. 18 illustratesthe mobile device 115, (also illustrated in FIG. 17) in which a mapdepicting a location of mobile device 115 and listings located within aradius 1706 of the mobile device 115 are shown on a display screen area1702 of the mobile device 115. In the example embodiment of FIG. 18, auser may select one of the listings 1708 displayed on the map by, forexample, using a touch-based gesture to select an icon representing thelisting, such as listing 1708A. In some embodiments, informationpertaining to the listing 1708A may be presented on the display screenarea 1702. For example, listing information, such as a title anddescription of an item offered for sale, may be shown (e.g., interfaceelements 1802 and 1804). In some embodiments, a distance of the sellerof the item from the current location of the user may be shown as well.One or more images of the item may also be shown. In some embodiments,information permitting a user to contact the seller may be provided,such as a telephone number, an email address, an instant message username, and the like. In some embodiments, the application may facilitatecommunication between the user and the seller upon selection of a userinterface element, such as a button or link. In some embodiments, anaddress and directions to the opposing party's location may be provided.

In some embodiments, the identity of the user (e.g., buyer) interestedin a listing may be revealed to a user (e.g., seller) associated with alisting. In some embodiments, the identity may be revealed when thebuyer attempts to communicate with the seller regarding a listing. Inthis respect, given that a listing may facilitate a local in-persontransaction, the seller may be able to gather information about thepotential buyer before the buyer and seller meet in person.

Although example embodiments disclosed herein illustrate listings 1708that fall within a circular radius 1706 of a user's location, it iscontemplated that listings within other predetermined geographicproximities to the user may be presented. For example, listings thatfall within a corridor of travel of a user may be presented, such asillustrated in FIG. 11. The corridor of travel may be determined basedon the location and direction of movement of a client device of a user.In some embodiments, listings that are in the directional path of a usermay be presented, while in other embodiments, listings that are both infront of and behind the directional path of the user's travel may bepresented.

Electronic Apparatus and System

Example embodiments may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry,or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them.Example embodiments may be implemented using a computer program product,for example, a computer program tangibly embodied in an informationcarrier, for example, in a machine-readable medium for execution by, orto control the operation of, data processing apparatus, for example, aprogrammable processor, a computer, or multiple computers.

A computer program can be written in any form of programming language,including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed inany form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, subroutine,or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computerprogram can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiplecomputers at one site or distributed across multiple sites andinterconnected by a communication network.

In example embodiments, operations may be performed by one or moreprogrammable processors executing a computer program to performfunctions by operating on input data and generating output. Methodoperations can also be performed by, and apparatus of exampleembodiments may be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry(e.g., a FPGA or an ASIC).

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client andserver are generally remote from each other and typically interactthrough a communication network. The relationship of client and serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other. Inembodiments deploying a programmable computing system, it will beappreciated that both hardware and software architectures meritconsideration. Specifically, it will be appreciated that the choice ofwhether to implement certain functionality in permanently configuredhardware (e.g., an ASIC), in temporarily configured hardware (e.g., acombination of software and a programmable processor), or a combinationof permanently and temporarily configured hardware may be a designchoice. Below are set out hardware (e.g., machine) and softwarearchitectures that may be deployed, in various example embodiments.

Example Machine Architecture and Machine-Readable Medium

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of machine in the example form of a computersystem 1900 within which there may be executed instructions 1924 forcausing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein. In alternative embodiments, the machine operates as astandalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to othermachines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in thecapacity of a server or a client machine in server-client networkenvironment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed)network environment. The machine may be a personal computer (PC), atablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a PDA, a cellular telephone, a webappliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable ofexecuting instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions tobe taken by that machine. Further, while only a single machine isillustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include anycollection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (ormultiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed herein.

The example computer system 1900 includes a processor 1902 (e.g., acentral processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU) orboth), a main memory 1904 and a static memory 1906, which communicatewith each other via a bus 1908. The computer system 1900 may furtherinclude a video display unit 1910 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD)or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system 1900 also includes analphanumeric input device 1912 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 1914 (e.g., user interface (UI) navigation device or computermouse), a disk drive unit 1916, a signal generation device 1918 (e.g., aspeaker) and a network interface device 1920.

Machine-Readable Medium

The disk drive unit 1916 includes a machine-readable medium 1922 onwhich is stored one or more sets of data structures and instructions1924 (e.g., software) embodying or used by any one or more of themethodologies or functions described herein. The instructions 1924 mayalso reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory1904, static memory 1906, and/or within the processor 1902 duringexecution thereof by the computer system 1900, the main memory 1904 andthe processor 1902 also constituting machine-readable media.

While the machine-readable medium 1922 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” may include asingle medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributeddatabase, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one ormore instructions 1924 or data structures. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any tangible medium that iscapable of storing, encoding or carrying instructions for execution bythe machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the embodiments of the present invention, or that iscapable of storing, encoding or carrying data structures used by orassociated with such instructions. The term “machine-readable medium”shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to,solid-state memories, and optical and magnetic media. Specific examplesof machine-readable media include non-volatile memory, including by wayof example, semiconductor memory devices (e.g., Erasable ProgrammableRead-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-OnlyMemory (EEPROM)) and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such asinternal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; andCD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. A “machine-readable storage medium” shall alsoinclude devices that may be interpreted as transitory, such as registermemory, processor cache, and RAM, among others. The definitions providedherein of machine-readable medium and machine-readable storage mediumare applicable even if the machine-readable medium is furthercharacterized as being “non-transitory.” For example, any addition of“non-transitory,” such as non-transitory machine-readable storagemedium, is intended to continue to encompass register memory, processorcache and RAM, among other memory devices.

Transmission Medium

The instructions 1924 may further be transmitted or received over acommunications network 1926 using a transmission medium. Theinstructions 1924 may be transmitted using the network interface device1920 and any one of a number of well-known transfer protocols (e.g.,HTTP). Examples of communication networks include a LAN, a WAN, theInternet, mobile telephone networks, Plain Old Telephone (POTS)networks, and wireless data networks (e.g., WiFi and WiMax networks).The term “transmission medium” shall be taken to include any intangiblemedium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying instructions forexecution by the machine, and includes digital or analog communicationssignals or other intangible media to facilitate communication of suchsoftware.

Although the present inventive subject matter has been described withreference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident thatvarious modifications and changes may be made to these embodimentswithout departing from the broader spirit and scope of the inventivesubject matter. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to beregarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, show by way ofillustration, and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which thesubject matter may be practiced. The embodiments illustrated aredescribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may be usedand derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutionsand changes may be made without departing from the scope of thisdisclosure. This Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken ina limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments is defined onlyby the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents towhich such claims are entitled.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

All publications, patents, and patent documents referred to in thisdocument are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, asthough individually incorporated by reference. In the event ofinconsistent usages between this document and those documents soincorporated by reference, the usage in the incorporated reference(s)should be considered supplementary to that of this document; forirreconcilable inconsistencies, the usage in this document controls.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patentdocuments, to include one or more than one, independent of any otherinstances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In thisdocument, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that“A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unlessotherwise indicated. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and“in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respectiveterms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, theterms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended; that is, a system,device, article, or process that includes elements in addition to thoselisted after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within thescope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms“first,” “second,” and “third,” and so forth are used merely as labels,and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separate embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving, via a mobiledevice, a search query, the search query including a current location ofthe mobile device and a first selection of a first mode oftransportation, from among a set of modes of transportation; identifyinga set of search results based on the search query, the set of searchresults including a plurality of listings, each listing of the pluralityof listings having an associated location; calculating, based on thecurrent location of the mobile device, a time to obtain for each listingof the plurality of listings, the time to obtain calculated based on atravel time from the current location to a location associated with eachof the plurality of listings, the travel time based on the first mode oftransportation; causing display of a presentation of the set of searchresults at the mobile device, the set of search results in thepresentation having a sort order, the sort order based on the time toobtain of each of the plurality of listings; receiving a secondselection of a second mode of transportation from among the set of modesof transportation; recalculating the time to obtain based on the secondmode of transportation; and adjusting the presentation of the set ofsearch results based on the recalculating the time to obtain of eachsearch results among the set of search results.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein the time to obtain represents one of the following: a time oftravel between the current location and a location associated with eachlisting of the plurality of listings that is associated with a physicaladdress; or a time of delivery to the current location associated witheach listing of the plurality of listings that is associated with anonline merchant.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying theset of search results includes identifying a first plurality of listingsassociated with a local merchant and identifying a second plurality oflistings associated with online merchants, and including both the firstplurality of listings and the second plurality of listings in theplurality of listings.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the causingdisplay of the presentation further comprises: causing display of, a mapview including a first indicator depicting the current location and aplurality of second indicators, each second indicator depicting alocation associated with each listing of the plurality of listings thatincludes a physical location within the map view.
 5. The method of claim4, further including receiving; via the mobile device, a user inputindicating a maximum travel time; and wherein the causing display of themap view includes filtering the plurality of second indicators based onthe maximum travel time.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the receivingthe user input includes receiving a selected mode of transportation,wherein the selected mode of transportation is selected from one of agroup of modes of transportation including: private automobile; publictransportation; bicycle; or walking.
 7. The method of claim 1, whereinthe causing display of the presentation of the set of search resultsincludes causing display of a time-to-obtain timeline, thetime-to-obtain timeline including a first plurality of listingindicators arranged according to travel time from the current locationand a second plurality of listing indicators arranged according toshipping time to the current location; wherein the first plurality oflisting indicators represent a first portion of the plurality oflistings; wherein each listing of the first portion of the plurality oflistings is associated with a merchant having a physical location withina predefined distance of the current location; and wherein the secondplurality of listing indicators represent a second portion of theplurality of listings, wherein each listing of the second portion of theplurality of listings is associated with an online merchant.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the causing display of the time-to-obtaintimeline includes causing display of a map view correlated to aselection mechanism, the selection mechanism enabling selection of amaximum time to obtain along the time-to-obtain timeline.
 9. Amachine-readable storage medium including instructions that, whenexecuted on a mobile device, cause the mobile device to performoperations comprising: receiving, via a mobile device, a search querythe search query including a current location of the mobile device and afirst selection of a first mode of transportation, from among a set ofmodes of transportation; identifying a set of search results based onthe search query, the set of search results including a plurality oflistings, each listing of the plurality of listings having an associatedlocation; calculating, based on the current location of the mobiledevice; a time to obtain for each listing of the plurality of listings,the time to obtain calculated based on a travel time from the currentlocation to a location associated with each of the plurality oflistings, the travel time based on the first mode of transportation;causing display of a presentation of the set of search results at themobile device, the presentation of the set of search results having asort order, the sort order based on the time to obtain of each of theplurality of listings; receiving a second selection of a second mode oftransportation from among the set of modes of transportation;recalculating the time to obtain based on the second mode oftransportation; and adjusting the presentation of the set of searchresults based on the recalculating the time to obtain of each searchresults among the set of search results.
 10. The machine-readablestorage medium of claim 9, wherein the time to obtain represents one ofthe following timeframes: a time of travel between the current locationand a location associated with each listing of the plurality of listingsthat is associated with a physical address; or a time of delivery to thecurrent location associated with each listing of the plurality oflistings that is associated with an online merchant.
 11. Themachine-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the identifying theset of search results comprises identifying a first plurality oflistings associated with a local merchant and identify a secondplurality of listings associated with online merchants, and include boththe first plurality of listings and the second plurality of listings inthe plurality of listings.
 12. The machine-readable storage medium ofclaim 9, wherein the causing display comprises causing display of a mapview including a first indicator depicting the current location and aplurality of second indicators, each second indicator depicting alocation associated with each listing of the plurality of listings thatincludes a physical location within the map view.
 13. Themachine-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the operationsfurther comprises receiving a user input indicating a maximum traveltime; and wherein the causing display of the presentation of the set ofsearch results further comprises filtering the plurality of secondindicators based on the maximum travel time.
 14. The machine-readablestorage medium of claim 13, wherein the operations further comprisereceiving a selected mode of transportation, wherein the selected modeof transportation is selected from one of a group of modes oftransportation including: private automobile; public transportation;bicycle; or walking.
 15. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 9,wherein the causing display of the presentation of the set of searchresults further comprises causing display of a time-to-obtain timeline,the time-to-obtain timeline including a first plurality of listingindicators arranged according to travel time from the current locationand a second plurality of listing indicators arranged according toshipping time to the current location; wherein the first plurality oflisting indicators represent a first portion of the plurality oflistings, wherein each listing of the first portion of the plurality oflistings is associated with a merchant having a physical location withina predefined distance of the current location; and wherein the secondplurality of listing indicators represent a second portion of theplurality of listings, wherein each listing of the second portion of theplurality of listings is associated with an online merchant.
 16. Themachine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the causing displayof the time-to-obtain timeline further include instructions that causethe mobile device to cause display of a map view correlated to aselection mechanism, the selection mechanism enabling selection of amaximum time to obtain along the time-to-obtain timeline.
 17. A mobiledevice comprising: a display; a processor coupled to a memory device andthe display, the memory device including instructions that, whenexecuted by the processor, cause the mobile device to perform operationscomprising: receiving, via a mobile device, a search query, the searchquery including a current location of the mobile device and a firstselection of a; mode of transportation, from among a set of modes oftransportation; identifying a set of search results based on the searchquery, the set of search results including a plurality of listings, eachlisting of the plurality of listings having an associated location;calculating, based on the current location of the mobile device, a timeto obtain for each listing of the plurality of listings, the time toobtain calculated based on a travel time from the current location to alocation associated with each of the plurality of listings, the traveltime based on the selection of the mode of transportation; causingdisplay of a presentation of the set of search results at the display ofthe mobile device, the set of search results in the presentation havinga sort order, the sort order based on the time to obtain of each of theplurality of listings; receiving a second selection of a second mode oftransportation from among the set of modes of transportation;recalculating the time to obtain based on the second mode oftransportation; and adjusting the presentation of the set of searchresults based on the recalculating the time to obtain of each searchresults among the set of search results.
 18. The mobile device of claim17, wherein the time to obtain represents one of the followingtimeframes: a time of travel between the current location and a locationassociated with each listing of the plurality of listings that isassociated with a physical address; or a time of delivery to the currentlocation associated with each listing the plurality of listings that isassociated with an online merchant.
 19. The mobile device of claim 17,wherein the identifying the set of search results further comprisesidentifying a first plurality of listings associated with a localmerchant and identify a second plurality of listings associated withonline merchants, and include both the first plurality of listings andthe second plurality of listings in the plurality of listings.
 20. Themobile device of claim 17, wherein the causing display of thepresentation of the set of search results further comprises causingdisplay of a time-to-obtain timeline, the time-to-obtain timelineincluding a first plurality of listing indicators arranged according totravel time from the current location and a second plurality of listingindicators arranged according to shipping time to the current location;wherein the first plurality of listing indicators represent a firstportion of the plurality of listings, wherein each listing of the firstportion of the plurality of listings is associated with a merchanthaving a physical location within a predefined distance of the currentlocation; and wherein the second plurality of listing indicatorsrepresent a second portion of the plurality of listings, wherein eachlisting of the second portion of the plurality of listings is associatedwith an online merchant.